Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

10 Jul 2025 06:00

Small Scale Homesteading for Beginners: Best of Growing Joy Replay

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a homesteader? A growing number of people are turning to self-sufficiency and sustainability in their way of living. However, homesteading can seem intimidating, especially when social media portrays it as an exclusive lifestyle requiring acres of land and living off the grid. The good news is that it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing lifestyle! In this episode, learn how Stephanie Thurow and Michelle Bruhn, co-authors of the book Small Scale Homesteading and absolute BFFs, are making homesteading accessible to everyone—no matter how much land you have. They share their experiences with gardening, chicken keeping, maple sugaring, and more, all while living on less than an acre in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

In this episode, we learn:

[06:43] Stephanie & Michelle’s homesteading journey
[13:08] The challenges of gardening in different regions (know your last frost date)
[16:24] How Stephanie & Michelle’s friendship and shared interests led to their book “Small-Scale Homesteading”
[17:51] What is the role of community in their homesteading journeys?
[24:32] What is the difference between gardening and homesteading?
[26:40] What inspired Michelle and Stephanie’s move from gardening to homesteading
[30:50] Tips for transitioning from gardening to homesteading
[40:21] Michelle on seed starting
[43:36] What are the easiest seeds to save?
[44:59] How can you preserve your homegrown food?
[46:45] Fermentation vs pickling
[48:36] What is water bath canning?
[51:21] Things you should know about raising chickens!
[01:01:13] Further homesteading stories and experiences from Michelle & Stephanie

Mentioned in our conversation: